Whether by cane or feather duster, adults recall the fear of being caned as kids but not the lessons

Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) has implemented stricter disciplinary measures to address bullying and serious student misconduct, a move that includes the possibility of caning for older boys under aggravating circumstances. This decision has sparked debate among parents and the public, highlighting a generational divide in views on corporal punishment.

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I remember thinking we were like Tom and Jerry, as she chased me around the dining table with a cane in hand.

For many adults of Ms Joline Lim's generation, corporal punishment, including caning, was a common disciplinary tool. Ms Lim recalls hiding canes from her mother, who used them as a "natural" course of action, a practice she herself experienced until age nine. While she can now look back with a degree of humor, the fear and pain she felt have led her to decide against using such methods on her own children.

Conversely, some parents view caning as a necessary deterrent for serious offenses. Education Minister Desmond Lee stated in parliament that caning is employed alongside other restorative and disciplinary measures. However, concerns persist about the potential negative effects of physical punishment on a child's development and well-being.

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I NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY

A 2022 study by the Singapore Children's Society and Yale-NUS College revealed that 44.8 percent of parents surveyed admitted to using physical discipline in the past year. Yet, a notable percentage, 27.4 percent, found physical punishment never effective, and 42.8 percent believed it was often ineffective. This data underscores the ongoing debate about the efficacy and appropriateness of corporal punishment in contemporary Singaporean homes and schools.

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It was never a quiet affair. There was always shouting, screaming and questions, like, 'Why don't you listen?' It always ended in tears, and I would feel scared, in pain, humiliated and most of all, angry.